Hooksett council accepts three new ballot machines for future elections

Hooksett — Town staff delivered three new ballot machines to the council and the Town Council voted to accept and place them into use.

Karina (elections staff) told the council the machines arrived the day before, had been tested and that there is a warrant form the council must sign under the state RSA cited in the meeting. She said the town had budgeted funds and received enough state credit on two older machines to purchase a third, increasing the town’s inventory from two machines to three. After a brief presentation and an opportunity for questions, a councilor moved to accept and place the new ballot machines into service per the RSA cited on the warrant. The council approved the motion by voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded.

Nut graf: The acceptance sets Hooksett to use the newly delivered machines for upcoming elections; town staff said the machines are tested and ready and that the town will sign the required warrant form following the vote.

Council members asked where the machines came from and how they were funded; Karina said the machines were purchased with money already in the current budget and with state credits tied to the older machines. She said the vendor removed the old machines and that the plastic transport boxes left over do not work with the new devices and will need to be disposed of. Staff indicated they will return with instructions or options for disposal.

The council signed the required acceptance paperwork after the vote and staff said the machines will be ready to use for the next major election cycle (staff noted the next scheduled election is in March). The council also arranged to collect signatures on the written warrant form immediately after the meeting.

Ending: Town staff said they will keep the council apprised if any additional implementation steps or training for election workers are needed prior to the machines’ first use.